Reading Sunday League – Division 1 preview

Last season's Division 3 East champions Eldon Celtic have moved up two divisions

Thom Drake continues his look at the new Reading Sunday League season by previewing Division 1 East and West.

The final installments of Thom's round-up will be in Friday's getreading.

Division 1 East

116 Exiles Last season: 11th in Premier Division. Hopes for 2011-12: With four Exiles teams going down to three, they have a strengthened squad and are hoping to get back up to the Premier. Home ground: Wargrave Rec. Players in: None reported. Players out: None. Ones to watch: James Douglas, Lee Marcham, Ben Callow. Pre-season: Lost 7-4 to Mapledurham and 4-1 to Richfield Res. Our prediction: 2nd.

Earley United Last Season: 8th. Hopes: Went unbeaten in eight games at the end of last season and will be looking to build on that, even making the top three. Home ground: Sol Joel. Players in: None as yet. Players Out: Chris Elton, Chris Morgan-Jones. One to watch: Lewis Leonetti, Jack Malpass. Pre-season: 5-2 loss against Early Home Guard. Prediction: 8th.

Henley Town Last season: 8th Division 1 West. Hopes: Aiming high as always. We want to finish number one and will be able to hold our own in the division. It’s nice to play some different teams. Home ground: Henley Town FC. P layers In: Paul Nobes, Robert Payne, Francis Payne. Players out: John McIlwee. One to Watch: Team effort, everyone has an essential role. Pre-season: 4-0 defeat to RAF Benson and 5-4 to FC Ole. Prediction: 4th.

Loddon Valley Rangers Last season: 6th. Hopes: Mid-table, not especially high as “players with outstanding debts have let the club down.” Home ground: Sol Joel Rec. Players In: Perry Howard. Players out: Ricardo Riccio. One to watch: Whole squad effort, centre-backs will need to put in some great displays. Prediction: 9th

Ruscombe Last season: 7th. Hopes: With a blend of experience and youngsters they expect to produce some good football. Home ground: Twyford Rec. Players in: Group from Piggott School. Players out: Several players retired, including James Hollidge, Kevin Rackley. Ones to watch: Matt Wateridge, Carl Garstang. Pre-season: Lost 2-1 to Southbank Res beat 6-1 DC Steamers. Prediction: 7th.

Wokingham and Emmbrook Last season: 9th. Hopes: To finish in the top half and “win more games than we lose.” Home ground: Lowther Road. Players In: Four from Microsoft. Players out: Three. Ones to watch: Kev Prentice, Russ Jackson. Prediction: 6th

YMCA United Last season: 4th Division 2 Central. Hopes: Should have a good season with mainly the same squad. Home Ground: Lawson Road, Henley. Players in: Andy Chinnock, Richard Clarke. Players out: None. One to watch: Tom Carpenter. Pre-season: 9-0 win against a new local team. Prediction: 11th.

Diamond Black Res. Last season: 3rd Division 2 Central. Hopes: With so many new players, everyone will need to up their game to consolidate their position in Division 1. Home ground: IBIS, Scours Lane. Players in: Nearly a completely new squad. Players out: None as yet. Pre-season: 5-2 win against Whitley Panthers and 3-1 defeat by Real Reading. Prediction: 11th.

Ibis/Misfits Res Last season: 9th. Home ground: Prospect Park. Prediction: 8th. No other details available from club.

Kennet Valley Last season: 3rd. Hopes: Want to be even closer to the top than last year. Home ground: Prospect Park. Players in: Martin Avery, Drew Tipper, Dan Fitzpatrick, Sam Jennings. Players out: None. O ne to Watch: Not possible to single anyone out. Pre-season: Lost 3-0 to Reading YMCA and beat Tilehurst United 3-1. Prediction: 1st.

Tilehurst YM Last season: 4th in Division 2 West. Hopes: Promotions is the aim, but more specifically want to be competitive in every game this season! Home ground: Victoria Rec. Players in: Andy Campbell, technically sound centre midfielder, Michael Croker at centre back and Chris Byrne, hard-man! Players out: Tim Waters (injury) and Michael Harvey to the Plough. Ones to watch: Getting vice-captain Matt Gill back from injury will be important. Key player will be club captain Dave Gill and special mention to 58-year-old Mike Shanks who will be starting his 300th straight game for YM when we kick off on Sunday! Pre-season: Beat Park Villa 7-2 with Mark Tancock bagging a hat-trick, drew 3-3 with Real Victoria after leading 3-1, lost 3-1 to Finchampstead and 3-1 to Kennet Valley. Prediction:12th

Victoria Arms Last season: 7th. Hopes: If the team can stay fit then a mid-table finish should be realised, though have an outside chance of promotion. Home Ground: Palmer Field, West End Road, Mortimer. Players in: Andrew Mason, Terry Pound, Billy Cox. Players out: Several have moved on with two sides being reduced to just one. Ones to watch: Leo Neill, Peter Soutter, Tom Brenchley. Prediction: 7th